Types Of Hearing Protection Devices

When you are looking to protect your ears from excessive noise, there are many hearing protection devices that you can use. Here are some of the best ones:

Earplugs

Earplugs are small in size and fit and block the ear canal. They are made from a wide range of materials such as: soft plastic, silicone, PVC, and polyurethane.

The cool thing about them is that you can use them in a wide range of noise environments. When you wear them correctly, they provide good sound attenuation.

When you wear them, you don’t have to worry about them getting in the way when you are going to wear a helmet or any form of eye protection.

There are many types of earplugs on the market that you can go for with the most common being:

Soft foam earplugs: They fit into the ear canal and often expand after you have rolled and inserted to fit and plug your ear canal.

The cool thing about them is that they are inexpensive, disposable, and ideal for use in areas of prolonged, continuous, high noise levels such as at the construction site.

In most cases, these earplugs have higher NRRs.

Soft flexible inserts: They are made from plastic, silicone, or rubber.

When you wear them, they perfectly fit and block your ear canal.

They are characterized by circular molded ridges (flanges) that aid in keeping them in place.

The cool thing about the hearing protectors is that they are easier to insert and often reusable and washable.

Due to this, they are more hygienic.

Unlike the previous ones, these ones have a lower NRR and are ideal for use in environments of intermittent, lower noise levels such as when you are having a woodworking project.

They are also an ideal choice for you if you have problems rolling a foam rubber ear plug.

Banded semi-inserts: They are custom-molded to fit an individual’s ear.

Just like the banded semi-inserts, these earplugs are easy to insert and ideal for use in areas of intermittent noise protection.

They are ideal for you if you have issues inserting the other types of earplugs.

For you to get the most from these units, you should ensure that the mold is a good fit.

When buying them, you should note that they tend to be more expensive than the other hearing devices in the market, but they are reusable and tend to last longer, thus you end up getting more value for your money.

How to wear the earplug

You should start by washing your hands and inspect the earplug.

You should then roll it between your fingers or across your palm.

After this, pull your ear outward and upward. Finally, insert the earplug and hold it in place until it expands.

Advantages

Small and easy to carry around

Easy to use and store

Provide more protection when you are working in lower frequencies

They come in different noise reduction levels

Cheap thus you can easily replace them in the event they get lost

You can custom-mold them for your specific needs

Convenient to use with other protective equipment such as safety glasses and helmet

You can comfortably wear them for longer periods

Disadvantages

When you wear them improperly, you reduce noise reduction rating value

They can be a challenge to insert and remove especially if you have a small ear canal

They can introduce dirt into the ear canal thus you need to practice high personal hygiene to keep them clean

They can irritate the ear canal

Difficult to monitor usage

Earmuffs

Also known as ear defenders, earmuffs are hard plastic cups that fit tightly to your ear thus sealing the air canal.

The units surround your ears and are often sealed to your head using cushion seals.

The earmuffs have a number of great features that make them more attractive than earplugs.

They are more durable, easier to use, and provide better protection in certain conditions.

For you to wear the units, you should start by inspecting them for stiffness, tears, cracks, and other signs of wear.

You should push your hair away from the ear, then center the band and ensure a tight seal over your ears.

You should adjust the band as you feel comfortable.

Advantages

Provide more protection to you at higher frequencies than the ear-plugs

Are designed to fit most people

You require less time and effort to apply them

Easy to monitor and supervise

It’s hard to lose or misplace them

They provide various noise reduction levels

You can wear them even if you have minor ear infections

They are re-usable, longer lasting, and durable than ear-plugs

Disadvantages

They are inconvenient to use when you are wearing other personal protective equipment

They are expensive thus hard to replace when they get lost or replace them

They can be uncomfortable to wear especially in wet and hot environments

You need adequate storage facilities

They are heavier and less portable than ear-plugs

Canal caps

On first look, canal caps look like a combination of earmuffs and earplugs but they don’t provide as much protection as either.

The caps feature rounded heads that cover the entire entrance of the ear canal.

These pieces are ideal for you when you are working in an area that requires you to take them on and off on frequent basis.

To maintain an effective seal with the pieces, you should apply firm pressure from the headband.

For ideal results, use them in areas of intermittent noise.

Advantages

Easy to insert

They provide different noise reduction levels

You can use them a number of times

Ideal for you when you are going in and out of noisy areas

Disadvantages

You need to buy the correct size

You need to insert them properly for them to provide you with noise reduction

More expensive than ear plugs

Have lower noise reduction ratings than plugs and muffs

Conclusion

These are some of the hearing protection devices that you can use to protect your ears.

For the units to protect your ears, buy them from a reputable store.

You also need to take good and store them safely so that they don’t get lost.

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